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❝They may defeat you. Burn you. Insult you. Injure you. And abandon you. But they will not. Shall not. And cannot destroy you. For you, like Rome were built on ashes. And you, like a phoenix know how to resurrect.❞

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♚Sorry for not updating this week, next update will be tomorrow of the day after that. Don't forget to vote! Xx, MD ♚

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I LEAN BACK tiredly in the booth and groan. Devouring seven slices of pizza seemed like such a great idea after the endless walking and when the pizza was still intact ad smelled like heaven . . . not so much now. Also, eating with five growing and hungry teenagers seem to have an effect on me.

"That was a lot of pizza," I grumble out with closed eyes.

"Yeah," Zach says with a fake annoyed voice, rolling his eyes, "you, like, ate the whole of three pizza pans. Gosh, you're such a fatty."

I hide my smile and play along. "Hey, it's not my fault that I'm pregnant and need to feed two human beings. Stop being such a bully."

"Who's the father?" Zach asks, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

I look him in the eye seriously. "You."

His expression drops, making me snigger and break character. Finally getting the joke, he laughs along with the guys.

"Gosh, Zachariah, you're so gullible," Jeromy says as he leans back in his booth by me, taking a swig from his coke.

"Yeah, Zachariah," I add in the same high-pitched tone we used earlier.

He grumbles something under his breath about him not wanting us to call him Zachariah. He's always been the sensitive one out of the guys, but what comes with it is his sweetness and big heart.

"Aww, are they bullying you, Zachariah?" Hunter asks with an uncharacteristic grin, ruffling Zach's fiery red hair. Weird, I think, he must be in a spectacular mood today.

Next to Zach and Hunter, Max teases Zach even more by pushing his arm and laughing.

"Okay, enough of bullying Zach," Hunter says, putting his hands up, "he's had enough."

I watch in amusement as Jeromy wiggles his eyebrows suggestively to everyone and mouths the word bromance.

"Don't even," Hunter says with a raised finger before Jer even has the chance to open his mouth.

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Stepping out of Hunter's Jeep, I pile my hair on top of my head in a presentable bun, and stretch my stiff limbs. I'm enveloped in the expected humid heat like a second skin. The scent of sunscreen, barbecue, and saltiness lies in the air; it's a sweet atmosphere that shouts summer and fun. The sun was starting to set, casting a filter of orange-red on the whole region.

Today's bonfire is the reason behind Phoebe, Heidi, and Ruby's new purchases yesterday. It's taking place in one of the best and private beaches in town, Sweet Bay Side.

Phoebe steps out of the car, and stands next to me, putting her sunglasses back on. "Looks like it's already in full swing."

I only nod back, taking in the crowd of people dancing to the music about twenty feet ahead of us. Finally, I hear the car door shut close for the last time, signaling that everyone is out of the car.

"Everyone got what they need?" Hunter asks as he walks over the other side of the car to stand next to us. I can't help admire his good looks that he looks good in the tank top and shorts he's sporting.

Everyone nods or says yes, and we start walking to further into the party.

"Boy, is it crowded here," Heidi has to yell over the noise to be heard. She giggles as she slips off her sandals, and holds them with her hands.

Our group ends up dispersing, and I head over to the safest place to go to at a party when you've just entered; the snack table. I settle for a can of Pepsi, and stand back, taking in my surroundings as I munch on some Cheetos.

"So, you're from the 'safe ones', huh?"

From the corner of my eye, I look at the guy that decided to grace me with his presence. I lick the back of my teeth as I turn my head to him, raising a questioning eyebrow.

The first thing I notice is his straight pearly whites, they seem to be screaming perfect. Which drives me to the rest of his also perfect features. It seems like the whole of his face was molded and sculptured by the God himself, every feature sharp and gorgeous.

He gestures to the can in my hand, and I snap myself to his previously asked questions.

"I'm not a safe one, I'm a smart one. If I get drunk forty-two seconds into the party, then how am I going to know which people to stay away from?" I take a swig from my can, my eyes not leaving his twinkling green ones, the setting sun reflecting in his green orbs.

"Well, I can tell you which people to stay with," he replies, his smile turning into a slight smirk.

I cock my head to the side and press my lips together. Having some fun can't do any harm. "What's your name?"

A group of guys push past us, yelling and hooting, preventing me from hearing him.

"What?"

As he alarmingly leans in closer, my senses sharpen. His scent of soap, leather, and salt takes over my senses as he talks louder by my ear. "Ethan."

"I'm India," I reply, trying to step back without seeming rude. Jumping into relationships blindly and head first isn't something I do. Well. . . not anymore.

"That's an exceptional name," he chuckles.

"You like that? You should hear my phone number." I bite my lips, trying not to make my smile widen.

He wets his lips and laughs. "I'd like to hear a whole lot from you, India."

I only smile at him, and as I'm about to say something else, I'm harshly pushed into him by another group of guys. I sigh annoyedly and turn to face the group. Taking a closer look, I realize that it's the same group that pushed me before.

"Can you guys please go and push at each other somewhere else? Like maybe in Orlando?" I snap.

It looks to be about a group of five guys, and the two boys leading them laugh out loud, brushing off my half-threatening words.

The blonde one raises his hands in the air. "Calm yo tit-"

"Okay, maybe you guys should just leave," Ethan says, pushing himself off the table and standing to his full height. I clench my teeth, and take deep breaths from my nose, releasing from my mouth.

"Why, is this your side chick, Eth?" The guy with the buzz cut next to the blonde winks, and grins like a Chesire cat. He'd actually be good-looking if it weren't for the crazed look on his face.

"Hey, you're supposed to have a dick, not be one. Now, if I were you, I'd scurry my little jerk-asses out of here," I spit at them with narrowed eyes, taking a step closer.

"I think Megan suits you more, Ethan," the blonde one says again, "this one talks too much. And women who talk too much aren't that attractive. I like them better with their mouths arou-"

In the next one second, three things happen simultaneuously:

I take an even closer step towards him and twist his arm behind his back angrily, having had enough of this.

Jeromy steps in out of nowhere and squares off with the blonde next to him.

And we all hear sirens wail in the background.